Unsurprisingly, Ash felt dreadful when he was shaken awake by Serena that morning, who Ash noticed was already fully dressed and in a hurry for him to get ready. He reluctantly agreed.
After a quick shower he came down to the lobby where all of his companions, except May, were already seated, eating their breakfast. In fact, it appeared to Ash that most of them had already finish eating, which made him feel even more rushed. The problem was he was absolutely exhausted after only getting a short and disturbed night's sleep. He poured himself a cup of the strongest coffee blend he could find, hoping it would help to wake him up a little.
A few minutes later May staggered into the room to join them. She looked the most dreadful Ash had ever seen her look, with bed hair and large bags under her eyes. Furthermore, her face looked puffy and colourless, and she was still dressed in her nightgown.
"Hey guys", she grunted.
The others greeted her but also had strange looks on their faces. Drew stared at her with a concerned expression, before turning to stare at Ash, then back at May. All of a sudden that concerned expression became one of suspicion, as he turned around to fix his gaze on Ash once more.
"Hey May, you look like you had a late night", Dawn said mildly.
"Yeah, sure did Dawn. Anyone know where the coffee mug is?"
"Yeah", Drew answered. "Ash has got it."
"Oooh, thanks Ash", she answered cheekily, as she took the mug from Ash, giving him a wink in the process. The whole thing was making Ash feel even worse than he already did. He prayed that Serena wouldn't be suspicious; he didn't think he even had the energy for a long day of spectating the tournament quarter and semi finals which were to take place back-to-back, much less get into an argument with Serena.
Ash briefed a sigh of relief when they got through the remainder of breakfast without further incident, as everyone began leaving their tables and heading out into the Main Street on their way to the arenas where the day's tournament finals were to be held. Ash staggered away from his table, still feeling greatly fatigued, with Pickachu sitting on his left shoulder. He then felt a touch on his other shoulder and turned around to see Serena smiling gently. His girlfriend's displays of affection always comforted him, even more so than usual on this occasion. He smiled back at her in the same manner.
When they arrived at the complex the whole group - save Brock, Misty and Clement - all headed into Arena number one, where Brock's quarter final was the opening match of the day. He was competing against Cilan! While Clement would be battling an opponent from the Galar region. Misty's match was on arena number 2 against an opponent from Genoa. Ash was greatly looking forward to seeing two of his former travel companions- and mentors - face off against one another. It seemed the further the tournament progressed, the more common this was becoming. Ash reasoned this was merely because his friends were such strong gym leaders.
This time when they had all found their seats and the Johto national anthem finished playing, there was a tremendous roar of applause from the crowd, a buzz and an energy on another level to that Ash had observed during the preliminary rounds. It made him feel excited but also a little nervous at the same time, and he was eager for the match to just begin so that his nerves would hopefully settle a little.
After a few more minutes of pre-amble the match was finally underway, an announcement met with a massive round of applause from the large crowd in attendance. Brock began with Turtwig, while Cilan brought out Pidove to begin with.
After both contestants sent a number of medium level moves at one another's Pokémon, Brock's Turtwig was able to fairly easily dispose of its opponent with a powerful energy ball move which was right on target.
But things weren't about to get any easier for Ash's green-haired former travel companion, for no sooner then he had brought out his next Pokémon, Crustle, Brock delivered a decisive leaf-storm move, which was right on target, dealing significant damage and catching his opponent's Pokémon in a powerful whirlwind of leaves, rendering it almost useless. Cilan countered with a rock slide move but its opponent swiftly dodged it, as Brock commanded his Pokémon to deliver a razor leaf attack. Once again it was right on target and enough to render Crustle 'no longer able to battle.' Brock looked like a man on a mission; in fact, he appeared in a rush to get through the battle so that he could face his next opponent as soon as possible.
Cilan's next Pokémon was his Pansage, but Brock didn't look fazed. This time he began to weaken his opponent with a few low to medium level moves before going in for the kill: "Turtwig, grass knot!" The move was on target and quickly had Pansage caught in the grass as Turtwig charged towards it, colliding with the middle of its body and tripping it in the process, bringing Cilan's Pokémon to the turf in the process. After a few seconds it was clear that Pansage was not getting back up. "Pansage is no longer able to battle, the winner of the match is Turtwig, that means the battle goes to Brock of Azalea City." The crowd gave a loud round of applause. Ash was shocked how easily he had disposed of Cilan. He didn't see that result coming at all. However, none of his companions had travelled with Cilan and they all knew Brock well, both as a friend and as a strong and highly skilled competitor, so the result didn't seem to catch any of them particularly off guard.
During the short intermission between the end of the match and the beginning of Clement's quarter final, most of the spectators went to get food but Ash was distracted pondering what he had just witnessed and reflecting on what the remaining matches of the tournament had in store. It was during this intermission that Ash heard a loud roar coming from behind the opposite side of the stadium, in the direction of Arena number 2. Ash realised that Misty's Match must have ended, as her match was the first scheduled for Arena 2 that day. He eagerly looked around to see if anyone knew the outcome. Not long after he heard a pair of spectators a couple of rows behind him discussing how "the red head girl had won a close match." Ash was ecstatic about this news: his two original travelling companions were now into the semi-finals and would be facing different opponents! Apparently Misty would be battling Bee, a former rival of Ash's from the Galar region and, as Ash knew, a very strong opponent. However, Ash was also desperate for Clement to win his match and he knew one person who would be even more desperate.
When the others returned with their food, everyone was in a jovial mood...everyone except Bonnie who was clearly nervous about her brother's match.
"Hey Bonnie", said Ash, "are you psyched for Clement's match?"
"Oh, well, I guess so", she answered hesitantly, "I'm just a little nervous."
"Don't worry Bonnie. I'm sure he'll do great."
"Besides", Serena added, "even if he loses, making it to the final eight at a big tournament like this is a really fantastic result. Your brother's a powerful gym leader."
"I know", she answered sheepishly, "thanks you guys."
Once the match commenced, it turned out that Bonnie had nothing to worry about at all, as Clement's Magneton single-handedly took out all three of its opponents with an impressive array of high-powered electric type moves. His opponent's Pokémon were never really in the contest. Even Magneton's final opponent, Cinderace, could not break through, in spite of the fire type Pokémon having a type advantage and going after its opponent aggressively with a barrage of kicks and punches; Clement continually outthought his opponent and was always at least one step ahead, as he commanded Magneton to keep dodging the attacks of its opponent, always having his next steps planned out. Clement finished off the match with a zap cannon which was right on target. When the announcer awarded the battle to Clement, the roar from the crowd was even louder than when Brock won his match. Some members of the crowd began chanting "boy of steel", in reference to the young golden-haired electric type gym leader. Bonnie - as always - started jumping up and down on her seat to express her excitement.
Brock and Clement would now meet in the semifinals later that afternoon, at the same venue. Ash couldn't wait.
After Ash and the others returned from eating lunch, in the same stadium bar where they had their first encounter with Luke, Brock and Clement were already entering the arena to the loudest applause of the tournament yet. As both contestants were introduced by the match referee, the crowd support for both was roughly equal. Brock had the home crowd factor because he now resided in Johto but Clement's performance in his last match took the tournament by storm and he was fast becoming a fan favourite. Ash was more excited for this match then any he had ever witnessed as a spectator. What was even better was that, because Brock was a rock type gym leader and Clement an electric type, neither trainer had a big advantage, unless one or both of them decided to mostly use Pokémon of other types but Ash didn't think it was their style, especially not Clement.
This theory turned out to be partly correct as Clement began with Magnemite, while Brock started with Ludicolo, a water/grass type, which actually put Brock at some disadvantage in the battle's first match. Not surprisingly, Clement's Magnemite was victorious over its opponent after a couple of minutes of exchanging blows with its opponent, as it took out the match with a decisive Discharge move, which also temporarily paralysed Brock's Ludicolo. Brock hasn't looked in the best mood when he walked out for the match but he was now looking decidedly angrier as he gave Clement a long and piercing stare.
Next up, Brock brought out his Magnemite! This meant it was Magnemite versus Magnemite, which theoretically gave Brock a slight advantage as Clement's had already taken some damage. However, Clement and his Magnemite were up for the fight as they exchanged in a long duel against their opponent. Despite this, it was eventually a bridge too far and Brock's Magnemite was able to finish off its counterpart with a grating metal sound move. The crowd prayed it would be the first and only metal sound move of the day. It was now one match apiece as Clement brought out his next Pokémon, Chesnaught. He decided to take take the early initiative: "Alright Chesnaught, bulk up." He was looking decisive and confident. However, Brock didn't look at all intimidated.
"Alright Magnemite", he responded defiantly, "use flash cannon!" A bright beam of light shot across the battlefield, striking Chesnaught in the chest. It fell to the ground, groaning but soon recovered.
"Alright Chesnaught", Clement countered, "use seed bomb." The Pokémon rose up and delivered a barrage of seeds at its opponent, most landing on target. Magnemite appeared weakened but was able to quickly regain its composure and resume battling.
"Ok Magnemite, use Discharge." The field around Chesnaught was lit up by a bright yellow electric field, caused by Magnemite's discharge move. Chesnaught had also been stunned but only momentarily as he was part grass type meaning the electric type moves were somewhat limited in effect. However, the momentary paralysis and the distraction of the electric field gavs enough for Brock to move in for his next move: "Ok Magnemite, use lock on and then back it up with zap cannon!" The initial lock on ensured Magnemite's zap cannon would be on target. The blast shot from Magnemite like a cannon and hit Chesnaught right in the middle of its body. The move first paralysed Clement's Pokemon for a second time, before the damage inflicted caused it to fall to the ground. It was unable to recover this time, even as the paralysis slowly wore off.
"Chesnaught is unable to battle. The winner of this match is Magnemite." There was a strong roar from the crowd as Clement sensed the battle which had begun so brightly beginning to get away from him.
"Well done Chesnaught", he said tenderly. "You get a good rest. Heliolisk, I choose you!" Clement's next Pokémon was an electric type, which meant another electric versus electric matchup. Clement hoped this one would go better than the first; otherwise, the match would be over.
"Ok Heliolisk, use eerie impulse." This move was effective as its vibrations caused Magnemite's attack stat to be lowered and it had already taken a considerable amount of damage. But Brock had a plan and he was quick and decisive in his response: "Magnemite, Thunder wave." The move paralysed Heliolisk and Brock acted quickly to capitalise on his momentary advantage: "now Magnemite, follow it up with Electro ball." A sparkling ball of electricity was hurled at Heliolisk: it was a direct hit. "Now gyro ball!" Another hit. Brock was going for Broke. Ash figured he was using this tactic because Magnemite didn't have a lot of life energy left, so he wanted to finish the battle then and there. But even so, he noted there was definitely something different about his old travelling companion that day, he wasn't normally so brash and reckless, except around girls.
"Hey Clement?" Brock called out to his opponent, loud enough for the spectators to hear.
"Yeah?" Clement responded timidly.
"If you and I had a tv show, do you know what it would be called?"
"No, what?"
"The cook and the chef!" Brock answered malevolently. Most of the crowd were confused about the joke but there were laughs from some areas of the stadium. As for Clement, he had no trouble understanding the joke and it got to him. Now Clement was the one who was fired up.
"Ok Heliolisk, Thunderbolt!" The thunderbolt was one of the most powerful Ash had ever seen. It was a direct hit, and it sent Magnemite hurtling to the ground. This time it would not recover.
"Magnemite is no longer able to battle. The winner of this match is Heliolisk." Once again there was a large roar from the crowd. They started shouting louder and louder in anticipation as Brock brought out his final Pokémon for the deciding match of the battle.
"Geodude, I choose you! You've got this." Brock and Clement both had steely looks in their eyes as they prepared for the final showdown. It was Clement who made the first move.
"Heliolisk, quick attack." The lightning fast attack hit its opponent, causing some damage. Brock quickly countered.
"Geodude, use fire punch." The move was effective, causing some damage as well as leaving Heliolisk with a small metal burn.
"Heliolisk, Thundershock!" The attack was on target and paralysed Geodude, although it only caused a moderate amount of additional damage. Clement ceased the moment and made another quick move: "Heliolisk, tailwip." Geodude's defence was lowered by the move and its life energy was now getting weak. Brock knew he must act decisively.
"Geodude, flame thrower!" The attack was effective, as Geodude landed a number of quick and decisive blows on its opponent, which was now engulfed in a wall of flames. The attack had caught Clement - who'd thought he'd had the upper hand in the battle - off guard. Brock saw this and acted decisively, knowing it was his best chance, while both his opponent and his Pokémon were vulnerable.
"Geodude, explosion!" The move caused a powerful explosion and Heliolisk toppled to the ground. However, the force of the move caused Geodude to faint itself. Brock knew making the move was a risk, given that Geodude did not have a large amount of life left itself. However, much to his relief, Geodude got back on its feet a short time later. As for Heliolisk, it wasn't getting back up.
"Heliolisk is unable to battle. The winner of this match is Geodude. That means this battle goes to Brock of Azalea town!" There was a huge roar from the crowd, not just for Brock but for the battle they'd just witnessed. Many people started chanting: "Brock the rock, Brock the rock, Brock the rock..."
Brock himself was ecstatic about the result which had put him into the final, as he began turning and waving to the crowd in every direction: "yeah, yeah!" He cried passionately. At the same time, Ash stood out of his seat to applaud his old friend.
A short time later, before most of the crowd had left their seats, there was a huge roar from the other stadium...Misty's match with Bea was over. But who was the victor?